Thermodynamics and Equilibria in Earth System Sciences: An Introduction

Thermodynamics is needed to understand many processes on Earth, be they physical, chemical, or biological. Thermodynamics is critical to study the atmosphere (lapse rate, fohn winds, circulation), hydrosphere (latent and sensible heat, pressure dependence of freezing/boiling points), geosphere (geothermal gradients, mineral stability) and the biosphere (redox zonation, evolution of biogeochemical cycles). This introduction to thermodynamics and equilibria aims to provide the basic concepts of relevance for atmospheric, marine, climate, and environmental sciences and to prepare students for more advanced classes in physical chemistry, mineralogy, and petrology.

This is an open access book.

Introduces thermodynamics targeted to Earth Sciences Covers concisely first and second law and their application in Earth System Sciences Explains chemical equilibria focused on carbon dioxide-water system This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access

Inhalt

Introduction.- The First Law: Work, Heat and Thermochemistry.- Entropy and the Second Law.- The Gibbs Free Energy.- Introduction to Equilibrium.- Acid-base Equilibria.- Redox Equilibria.